wmw999

I prefer to have a country that doesn’t need warnings about arbitrary treatment, just like I prefer not to live in a city where the level of law enforcement depends on the color of skin or perceived ethnic or income group. And we all know those things still happen. To get an idea of living in a sometimes-free but arbitrarily enforced country, watch the movie “I’m Still Here,” about Brazil during the dictatorship and its aftermath. You were free to disagree until you weren’t. I don’t see us disappearing US citizens of note. Yet. But we’re already working on deporting students who have taken part in college protests. The subtext there isn’t just “be polite,” it’s also “be afraid.” Wendy P.

I’ve been to Canada a number of times the last few years. It’s way easier to get into Canada than back into the US. Just based on the length of the lines, and the average time per person when there is a line getting into Canada. Wendy P.

Yep. I can totally understand that. Wendy P.

I’m sorry, you must comply. It’s the American way, even though you’re not Americans Wendy P.

Couldn’t happen to a nicer person. Well, maybe Marjorie Taylor Greene or Nancy Mace. Wendy P.

Nice to see something like that, with a lot of effort, work out. Wendy P.

So as long as we're not the worst it's OK, I guess. Way to aspire. Wendy P.

I think that last point is exactly it. The fact that it’s a man is just a lagniappe Wendy P.

My son has hated him since the early 2000’s. Good taste, that kid Wendy P.

I agree about the baby sea lions, but Antarctica was worth it to me. Penguins are way, way, cool. Not as cool as baby sea lions, though. Wendy P.

I've had coca tea (common in Cuzco). It's not awesome, and it doesn't get you high. I'll pass. Wendy P.

Maybe he'll use it to pay down the debt. Wendy P.

It'll probably miss the first attempt. Damn DEI hires. Wendy P.

I'm wondering when we'll start hearing about the "decision to become gay." Wendy P.

We can only be individuals. Like that kid picking up starfish on the beach. Wendy P.

No, I try to evaluate and treat them as individuals -- and it all depends on how they treat me when we're talking relationship. If we're talking consulting, they still have to treat me with a modicum of respect -- would you go to a doctor who ignored your questions? Or a mechanic who said "trust me, little lady?" (yes, that really happens).They might be hyper-competent, but how exactly would I know if they won't actually talk to me and treat me as though I'm a sentient human being? Wendy P.

Arrogance combined with a lack of self-examination is a lot easier when you've always been on top. You kind of think you deserve it. Look at nearly every rich kid who goes to a great high school, has tutoring help, and gets into a name college because daddy and/or mommy can largely pay for it. They ALL think they earned it. Some of them did, but few of us see behind the scenes at others' homes, where their parents were depressed because they were working shit jobs (or being a housewife because it's all that was available -- and no, not all women want that), left their kids' schooling entirely up to the kids (no tutoring, no making sure there was enrichment going on), and told the kid "you can only apply to three colleges because we can't afford the application fee," while the kid is largely dependent on the public school guidance counselor to advise as to college. Equal opportunity? It's easier to get to home plate when you start out on third than on first, and even easier than when they make you buy the bat and pay for admission to the game. Wendy P.

I'm sure there are some. Everyone can be an asshole, everyone can be incompetent. But sometimes it's hard to see the truth when incompetence or assholeness is described differently based on gender or color ("she's just a bitch" is generally far more damning than "he's an asshole." You can admire an asshole, no one admires a bitch) ("he got there because of DEI" rather than "he got there because he was marginally ready at the right time, and his boss likes him"). Subtle, but in each case, the white man is an individual, and the woman/minority is an exemplar of their entire class of person. So why shouldn't I, therefore, assume that all white men are (whatever the most negative thing that's happened) Wendy P.

Fine. You don't discriminate. Except against any Democrats, women with funny laughs, anyone who tries to be aware of discrimination, or any victimhood besides your own in having to work with and interact with substandard humans. But those are all real issues, as opposed to the silly ones like people thinking that anything but their essential inadequacy affects their careers. Bullshit. Wendy P.

So in other words the democrats, no matter who they offer (because there’s always something wrong with them), are worse than Hitler Dang Wendy P.

Low likelihood, but entirely possible. Note that we get a lot of electricity from Quebec; we're next. And I even speak French! Wendy P.

O sol - masculine

Some animals LIKE being more equal than others. Wendy P.

It's so nice to have you as the final arbiter of what's reasonable. Pity you're wrong, but that's probably an unacceptable andwer. Wendy P.